Kudo Kids: The Mystery of the Masked Medalist - (The Kudo Kids) by Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani & Michelle Schusterman (Paperback)

About the Book

Accompanying their journalist parents to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, twelve-year-old Andy Kudo and his eleven-year-old sister Mika find themselves immersed in an augmented reality game developed by a former Olympic medalist, that brings players together from all over the world to search Tokyo for virtual medals and clues to the secretive creator's identity.

Book Synopsis

From two-time Olympic bronze medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani comes a fun-filled, fast-paced middle-grade mystery set at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Andy and Mika are going to Tokyo!

The Kudo Kids have never been to Japan before, so they can't believe they get to attend the Summer Olympics there. The siblings plan to eat tons of delicious Japanese food, watch every event they can, and win a super-popular new game called OlympiFan.

Developed by a mysterious former medalist, OlympiFan brings players together from all over the world to search Tokyo for virtual medals and clues to the creator's identity. Andy loves puzzles, and he's determined to crack this one, especially since the winning team will get to be beta testers for the Masked Medalist's future games!

Mika wants to find as many clues as she can, but she also has a secret goal of her own--one that could get her into big trouble. But when someone sabotages the game, the Kudo Kids have an even bigger mystery to solve than the Masked Medalist's identity. If they want to capture the gold, Mika and Andy have to figure out who's trying to stop their team before someone beats them to the grand prize!

Review Quotes

"What a fun ride throughout this book! It not only got me excited about the Olympics, but the OlympiFan game was full of twists and intrigue. A contemporary story that will connect with young readers everywhere." --Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Gold Medalist, Children's Book Author

"The Mystery of the Masked Medalist would make any kid passionate about the Olympics. Maia and Alex create a modern adventure that takes you throughout Japan." --Lindsey Vonn, Olympic Gold Medalist Alpine Ski Racer

"It's truly remarkable that sister and brother Maia and Alex Shibutani, who just happen to be very well known for their excellence in skating, have taken that same champion level approach to creating Kudo Kids. Everyone loves a great mystery, and Kudo Kids delivers a fun and exciting adventure aimed for young readers, that everyone can enjoy. I have a strong feeling this could be the beginning of something BIG!" --Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist

"Maia and Alex Shibutani have written a delightful game of a book full of surprises and heart. I loved experiencing Tokyo through the eyes of the Kudo kids, and I can't wait to see where they travel next." --Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series

"A gold medal debut for the ShibSibs! This fun, fast-paced mystery with two fierce new detectives--the Kudo Kids--will keep young readers turning the pages until the twisty end!" --Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Great Shelby Holmes series

"An exhilarating page-turning romp through Tokyo for fans of puzzle games and mysteries! This book made me hungry for Japanese food and for more in this series." --Debbi Michiko Florence, author of the Jasmine Toguchi series and Keep It Together, Keiko Carter

"The Mystery of the Masked Medalist is a fun, exciting adventure all across Tokyo. The Kudo Kids are lovable and daring, proving to be highly relatable heroes that kids will root for." --Lyla Lee, author of Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business and I'll Be the One

"With Kudo Kids, Maia and Alex Shibutani have created an exciting world that explores mystery, the travails of competition, and the loving support of family. The story toggles between traditional storytelling and digital adventure for the young reader, resulting in a thriller that reads like a video game. Kudo Kids is not only a fun way to get your favorite child interested in books, but an entertaining read for all generations." --Bobby Hundreds, author of This Is Not a T-shirt

About the Author

Maia and Alex Shibutani (aka the ShibSibs) are two-time Olympic bronze medalists, three-time world medalists, Four Continents Champions, and two-time U.S. National Champions. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, they became the first ice dancers of Asian descent to medal at the Olympics and are only the second sibling duo in the history of the sport to share an ice dancing medal.

Off the ice, the ShibSibs are known for sharing their personalities, experiences, and interests on social media to bring new audiences to their sport. They travel the world and enjoy spending time together (most of the time), eating food (all of the time), and meeting new people (any time!). The Mystery of the Masked Medalist is their first book.

Find Maia and Alex on Twitter and Instagram: @MaiaShibutani @AlexShibutani @ShibSibs

Yaoyao Ma Van As is an illustrator, art director, vegan, and dog lover. She has a BFA in Art & Design and an MFA in Animation. Between working on animated television shows she likes to relax by illustrating quiet little moments in life. Yaoyao currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and four-legged baby.